Tuesday, April 07, 2009

Public Inquiry for Ian Tomlinson

Activists have called for a full public inquiry into the death of a man during the G20 protests.

Ian Tomlinson was returning home from his work at a nearby newsagents when he collapsed near the Bank of England in the City where protesters had gathered.

Post-mortem tests showed the 47-year-old suffered a sudden heart attack.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) is looking into Mr Tomlinson's death, but protestors insisted this would not be enough.

In a statement, a group calling themselves G20 Witnesses said: "We call for a full public inquiry to look into Mr Tomlinson's death and the police tactics used throughout the G20 protests."

A Metropolitan Police spokesman said at the time that officers treating him had bottles thrown at them by protesters.

But there were also claims his treatment was delayed by the presence of the police cordon around the protest area.

More than 120 people were arrested during demonstrations near the Docklands, east London, where the G20 summit was held and in the City on Wednesday and Thursday.

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